Gigabyte has launched the Aorus RTX 5060 Ti AI Box (eGPU), which is an external GPU. So let’s see for which buyers this will prove to be perfect and who should avoid it.
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In gaming, most of the discussions are regarding new graphics cards; the higher the GPU power, the more graphics performance you receive. Any graphics-intensive computation on computers, including gaming, video editing, cryptocurrency mining, and animation, uses a powerful GPU. But, nowadays, in the age of AI, most work is also done via GPUs, including video decoding and encoding, AI and machine learning, and HPC, which is applied to weather forecasting, DNA sequencing, space simulation, simulation, and CAD workstations. While a CPU can, without any issues, execute 10-15 large tasks, a GPU can execute and process thousands of small tasks simultaneously.
You must be aware that any GPU is first launched for desktops and later for laptops. For example, if you have an RTX 5060 Ti GPU for your desktop and a gaming laptop with an RTX 5060 Ti GPU, you will notice lower performance in the laptop despite having the same GPU die. This is because no matter how advanced laptop technology becomes, you cannot achieve the same performance as a gaming PC. This is due to the GPU being TDP bound in laptops because of cooling and power limitations.
For this reason, if you need performance equivalent to a gaming PC in a laptop or mini PC, there is only one option for you, which is the ‘External GPU’ that you can connect and use through a super-fast Thunderbolt port.
Image Source: Gigabyte
This Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5060 Ti eGPU supports Thunderbolt 5, which utilizes PCIe 5.0X8. Gigabyte claims that it offers only 5% less bandwidth than a full PCIe 4.0 x16 desktop slot. Initially, Thunderbolt 4 was superior in terms of speed, offering 40 Gbps bandwidth. However, the latest Thunderbolt 5 port provides you with a superfast bandwidth of 80 Gbps.
Features of the Gigabyte Aorus RTX 5060 Ti eGPU:
Image Source: Gigabyte
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4
- The GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB empowers laptops with extra computing power.
- capable of handling gaming, creating, and AI applications.
- Thunderbolt 5 plug and play
- Supports Thunderbolt 5 daisy chain
- WINDFORCE cooling system
- Supports Thunderbolt 5*1 and USB 3.2 Gen 2*3 for peripherals
- Supports Ethernet port
- Supports Power Delivery (PD 3.0) for Quick Charge
- RGB lighting
- Compact design for easy portability
One of the latest and most compelling releases in this area is the AORUS RTX 5060 Ti eGPU, a slim and high-performance device that uses NVIDIA’s Blackwell architecture to deliver next-gen graphics to laptops and small form PCs. Equipped with 16 GB of GDDR6 memory,
The Gigabyte RTX 5060 Ti AI BOX features a Windforce Cooling system for cooling and provides a total of three ports with Thunderbolt 5 along with USB 3.2 Gen 2 for connectivity, as well as an Ethernet port. The ports provided support for Quick Charge PD 3.0, which means your laptop will fast charge while transferring data.
AORUS RTX 5060 Ti eGPU Specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| GPU Model | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti |
| Architecture | NVIDIA Blackwell with DLSS 4 |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| Cooling System | WINDFORCE advanced thermal solution |
| Connectivity | Thunderbolt™ 5 ×1, USB 3.2 Gen 2 ×3, Ethernet port |
| Extra Features | Power Delivery (PD 3.0) Quick Charge, RGB lighting |
| Form Factor | Compact AORUS AI BOX design |
Opinion:
The Gigabyte RTX 5060 Ti AI BOX is specially designed for those who need powerful graphics performance in their laptop or mini PC, but there is a catch: your laptop or mini PC needs to have the latest Thunderbolt 5.0 to achieve the 80 Gbps speed and the full performance available with PCIe 4.0 x16. If you have Thunderbolt 4.0, the bandwidth is halved, meaning 40 Gbps, which will not provide you with the same performance. So, this Gigabyte RTX 5060 Ti AI BOX will be useful for buyers whose laptops or mini PCs have a Thunderbolt 5.0 port. However, the exact price of this RTX 5060 Ti eGPU is currently unknown. For example, previously, Gigabyte launched its powerful RTX 5090 eGPU, which was estimated to cost around 3000 USD, whereas the RTX 5090 can be found for around 2300 USD. However, if you purchase the Aorus RTX 5090 AI Box (eGPU), you would have to pay an additional 700 USD.
